Liverpool XI if they hadn't sold anyone since 2010

Liverpool have made a handsome profit on some of their most valuable assets over recent years, including the sales of Javier Mascherano and Luis Suarez to Barcelona and Fernando Torres to Chelsea.

As reported by The Mirror, the Reds officially hold the title as not only the Premier League's biggest selling club, but across Europe also.

That tag comes a bit of a surprise considering Southampton are often labelled the Premier League's biggest sellers; having nurtured a wealth of talent, only to see their best players bought for a handsome profit season upon season.

SIGN UP NOW

However, it seems Jurgen Klopp may have to brace himself for further departures if the trend of the past six years is to continue. However the German boss has, in recent months, stated he wants the club to have the ambition to keep ahold of their best players, in the long term.

There certainly seems to be a vicious circle surrounding the reason why the Reds are Europe's top selling club. Their failure to keep ahold of their best players resulted in them losing their regular spot in the Champions League, while their failure to compete regularly in Europe's elite club competition in recent seasons has resulted in the sales of some vital assets.

Liverpool have generated an eye-watering £379 million from player sales since 2010, and it's no wonder when considering some of the big names that have left Anfield in the past six years.

But it isn't just Torres and co. who have been increasing the Reds' bank balance by leaving the club; even some of the club's lesser names have contributed somewhat to Liverpool's increase in financial resources.

Had Liverpool not have sold some of their key assets, their squad could have looked completely different, today. Here is how a Reds starting XI could have looked, based on players the club have sold since 2010.

GK - Pepe Reina

The Spain goalkeeper spent nine years at Liverpool, becoming a fans' favourite amongst the Anfield faithful and having him as number one was perhaps the last time the Red side of Merseyside was completely content with their man between the sticks.

However, being a top class goalkeeper, the Spaniard commanded a top wage, also, which resulted in Liverpool shipping Reina out on loan to Napoli for the 2013-14 season.

But his stay in Serie A was to be brief and was subsequently sold to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich for £2 million in 2014.

DEF - Daniel Agger

Perhaps Klopp would have enjoyed having the Denmark at Anfield today, given the defensive problems that could undermine what has, otherwise, been a solid start to the season for the Reds.

Comfortable on the ball, Agger could read the game well and eight years at Anfield. However, he was sold also sold in 2014, for £3 million, to Brondby.

DEF - Martin Skrtel

The Slovakia international did cause split opinion amongst many fans, but his eight years of service was valued from beginning to end.

It felt as though his time at Anfield was finally coming to an end, and Klopp finally let him go this summer for £5.5 million to Turkish Super Lig side Fenerbahce.

DEF - Sebastian Coates

Liverpool certainly aren't known for purchasing top class defenders, and when the Uruguayan arrived from National in 2011, it was to be no different.

The defender was officially a Reds player for three years, but spent the 2014/15 season on loan at Sunderland, before making his move the Black Cats permanent in 2015, for £2 million.

MID - Raul Meireles

At the prime of his career, the talented Portugal midfielder joined Liverpool for £11.5 million from Porto, and looked like a good asset.

However, after just one season, the club made a minor profit on the Portuguese midfielder, who had asked be transfer listed, selling Meireles to Chelsea for £12 million in the summer of 2011.

MID - Joe Allen

The Wales international's arrival from Swansea City in 2012 was eagerly anticipated, although the midfielder failed to live up the expectations Reds fans had set, based on what they'd seen of the Welshman during his time in the Premier League.

Under Klopp, Allen's role was significantly reduced and was became an impact substitute, rather than a key figure in the German's team.

And this summer, Allen joined Stoke City for £13 million - a £2 million loss on what they bought the former Swansea City man.

MID - Javier Mascherano

The Argentina international arrived at Anfield, from West Ham, having already shown the Premier League his top class talent (and his poor discipline, at times, also).

After three years on Merseyside, it's fair to say Liverpool fans were gutted to see the midfielder go. Rafa Benitez had parted company with the Reds earlier in the year, and clearly the Argentine took it upon himself to decide his time at Anfield was up, also.

Not that anyone could blame the midfielder. His move to Barcelona has been nothing short of successful, and made Liverpool a minor profit in the process, selling the midfielder to Barca for £17.3 million in 2010.

MID - Raheem Sterling

Controversy surrounded the England international's sale to Manchester City; having not had his interview with the BBC agreed by Liverpool.

After seeing Luis Suarez leave the previous summer, Sterling was also keen to get out of Anfield with Manchester City keen on the winger.

And the England youngster saw his wish fulfilled, when Liverpool agreed a whopping £35.2 million sale of Sterling to Etihad, last summer.

STR - Luis Suarez

The Uruguay striker's form in front of goal was never anything short of frightening, and so he has continued to prove since moving to Barcelona.

Suarez went agonisingly close to winning the league with Liverpool in 2013/14, before leaving Anfield that summer for his dream move to Barcelona in a club record sale of £65 million.

He, Sterling and Daniel Sturridge formed one of Europe's most menacing attacks under Brendan Rodgers. However, despite wanting to keep the Uruguayan, for obvious reasons, Liverpool were left with little choice to sell after a heartbreaking campaign.

STR - Fernando Torres

Prior to injury, which blighted the Spaniard's form in front of goal, El Nino was prolific for Liverpool for a number of seasons.

However, once it proved that silverware was going to be in short supply at Anfield, the striker made his intentions known that he wanted to leave Merseyside for a new challenge elsewhere.

To the heartbreak and anger of Reds fans, Torres joined Premier League rivals Chelsea for a, then, club record £50 million in 2011.

STR - Andy Carroll

Still Liverpool's record signing, the Englishman was never able to recreate his form for the Reds, which he had displayed for his boyhood club, Newcastle United.

A menacing aerial threat, Carroll was hampered by injury during his spell at Anfield, which was cut short to just two years, having signed a two-year deal, when the striker was then sold to West Ham for a cut price free of just £15.5 million.

Report author of article

DISCLAIMER

This article has been written by a member of the GiveMeSport Writing Academy and does not represent the views of
GiveMeSport.com or SportsNewMedia. The views and opinions expressed are solely that of the author credited at the top of this article.
GiveMeSport.com and SportsNewMedia do not take any responsibility for the content of its contributors.

Want more content like this?

Like our GiveMeSport Facebook Page and you will get this directly to you.